The streets were quiet as Alex and Serena strolled side by side. They had just finished sparring with Diablo—a session that had left the both of them slightly winded, but smiling.
Serena glanced at Alex.
"So... how have you been all this time?"
Alex looked ahead, hands in his pockets.
"I've been doing fine. Honestly, I liked having all that time to train. I feel stronger now. Way stronger than I used to be. And plus, i learned alot."
Serena smiled softly.
"You've really changed, you know? Especially when it comes to maturity. It's like you're a whole different person. Hopefully I'm not wrong."
Alex chuckled.
"And you don't look bad yourself. You seem stronger and more confident."
As they continued walking, Alex glanced at the passing buildings.
"I haven't seen Raquel since I came back… or the other girls. Even the guys too, like Sōn or Deo."
Serena nodded.
"Raquel, Sukuna, and Runo went on a mission with Deo and Son. It wasn't anything too serious. Just to kill some criminals who have been killing people and using body parts to make weapons." Alex thought to himself "She talks like as if the crime itself isn't serious."
Alex let out a small sigh.
"I hope I get to see them soon. I came back to the city once during the three years break, but I didn't see anyone. I guess everyone was too busy to train."
Serena giggled.
"Yeah, most of us were training our asses off. And dont worry about the rest, they'll be fine. And knowing Raquel, she'll probably burst with joy the moment she sees you."
Alex's face turned red instantly.
"Yeah, you're right."
Meanwhile, deep in a dense forest…
Gunfire echoed through the trees, the bullets were so potent that they could put a C-rank at a life or death state. A squad of heavily armed soldiers with extreme gear, opened fire bullets flying like rain. But Raquel—swift, precise, and elegant—darted through them effortlessly. Her sixteen-year-old frame moved with the grace of a dancer and the lethality of a blade.
She reached one of the soldiers, crystallizing her fingers before slicing cleanly through his neck. One by one, the others followed—her movements a blur as she weaved through the barrage of bullets.
Dodging, slicing, and deflecting with the sharp edges of her crystalline hands, she leapt into the air.
"Crystal Rain!"
Above them, a multitude of sharp crystals formed in the sky, glimmering like stars before they shot down at blinding speeds. The soldiers tried to counter with gunfire, but it was futile. The crystals pierced through them, ending the ambush in an instant.
Raquel landed and sighed.
"Ahhhh! I really don't like violence… but sometimes, I have no choice."
From a nearby bush, Sōn emerged with a grin.
"You're becoming a beast out here. Really, you just tore through em like paper.". Raquel replied "Says the guy who sets things on fire."
Sukuna, wearing a small smile, added,
"Nice work. We should report back to the city now that the missions done."
Runo appeared from the opposite side of the forest.
"Deo and I just finished off the rest on our side. They were armed with crazy weapons, Deo even took his time to take some of the loots we saw.". Sukuna replied to Runo nervesly "I know our jobs were to kill the enemy, but damn, have some respect."
Up on a tree branch, Deo sat with his arms behind his head, a limiter snug around his neck.
"Is it just me, or did that mission feel way too easy? Everything seem like it's been set too beginners level."
Runo chuckled.
"That's because we've all improved. Although, it does seem to easy." Sōn thought to himself "She seems rather happy than usual."
Son stretched his arms above his head.
"I just wanna go home and eat something. Running at hypersonic speeds all the way to some forest and killing everything that stood in our way is a pain."
Raquel smiled warmly.
"I'm just glad everyone's safe."
Son smirked.
"Or maybe you just wanna rush back and see Alex? I got a text from Kinto on the phone that he's back."
Raquel's face lit up red.
"S-Sōn! Don't say things like that!"
Sukuna giggled.
"Yeah, yeah~ You wanna see your boyfriend so badly, huh?"
Everyone laughed as Raquel covered her face in embarrassment.
"I just hope he's doing well…"
Back in the city... A few hours later.
Alex sat at a restaurant table, inhaling burgers like they were air, a giant drink in his other hand. After devouring the last one, he stood up with a satisfied groan, carrying a takeout bag filled with more food.
As he walked home through the quiet streets, he muttered to himself,
"Whatever comes my way next… I'm ready. I spent alot of time during those years of training, I'm not about to get my ass killed. I'll keep climbing till I'm the best."
His mind flashed back to that fight in the valley—when he and Kazuki faced off against Shinki.
He clenched his fist.
"No matter what happens... I won't let anything bad happen to my friends or this city. I'll protect it."
Just then, he saw familiar faces in the distance—Son, Deo, Sukuna, Runo...
"Yo!" Son waved. "Long time no see! How've you been?"
Deo smirked.
"Wow, youre back.It's been a while, Alex."
Alex smiled warmly.
"Yeah, it has. I really missed you guys."
Runo stepped forward.
"You look different, Alex. You've grown taller."
Alex nodded.
"Of course. I've been doing well."
Suddenly, Raquel leapt from behind and hugged him tightly.
"Alex!! I missed you so much!"
Flustered, Alex blushed and tried to pull away.
"H-Hey! Calm down! Not here!"
Son laughed.
"Good to see you again, man. Really, things felt a bit too quite without you."
Deo added,
"Sōn's right.We just got back from a mission."
Sukuna eyed the bag in Alex's hand.
"What's in there?"
Alex raised an eyebrow.
"Oh this? Just some food I picked up."
Everyone sighed.
"Some things never change.. Huh?."
Later that night…
Alex lay on his bed, casually munching on burgers while sipping a drink. Raquel walked into the room, her hair tied back.
"Mind if I join you? You know, if you keep eating like this, you'll lose shape." Alex replied "No I won't."
Alex scooted over.
"Here,have one"
Raquel grabbed a burger and teased,
"Don't be stingy now."
Alex smiled.
"So… how's the city been since I left?"
"It's been fine," Raquel replied. "We get missions now and then, but most of them are small-time stuff. C-rank terrorists at best. Some rouge solidiers going to destroy smaller cities. Going into theforest to kill some monsters and stuff like that. We didn't reallyget to many missions like that."
She looked at him.
"How was training with your grandpa?"
Alex groaned, laughing.
"The craziest thing ever. I cant even begin to explain it."
Raquel giggled.
"How bad was it?"
"Ever meditated for a week straight? No breaks?" he asked. "That wasn't even the worst part. My grandpa made me exercise my energy by firing 'Blades of Death' nonstop until the day ended."
Raquel's eyes widened.
"That's insane."
"Yeah," Alex said, stretching. "But hey, it paid off. My hand-to-hand skills improved a lot too."
Raquel smiled, leaning closer.
"I'm just glad you're okay."
They leaned in—and shared a quiet, heartfelt kiss.
Elsewhere…
Inside the dark headquarters of the Signs, all the members had gathered. A cold tension lingered in the air.
Ukina stood before them with a smile.
"It's been three whole years… and now it's time."
Her eyes scanned the room.
"We've been through a lot. But every moment was for this."
She raised her hand.
"Shinki. Sorata. Step forward."
The two complied.
"You two will be in charge of what happens next. I've layed out what the group needs to do. Execute the plans perfectly."
Her lips curled into a smirk.
"The energy is about to shift."
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
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